Meta-owned Instagram is once again adopting a feature from TikTok, this time allowing users to speed up Reels by long-pressing on the right or left side of their screen.
The new functionality enables videos to play at 2x speed, mirroring a similar option available on TikTok.
When TikTok first launched, videos were limited to 15 seconds. As the platform gained popularity, it extended video durations and introduced playback speed controls, catering to an audience accustomed to consuming content at a faster pace.
Instagram Reels followed a similar trajectory, initially capping videos at 15 seconds but now supporting clips up to three minutes in length.
The introduction of a fast-forward feature aligns with Instagram’s efforts to keep users engaged by allowing them to watch more content in less time. The move also reflects broader concerns that short-form video platforms may be contributing to declining attention spans.
This is not the first time Instagram has replicated TikTok’s features. The platform previously launched its Remix tool, a direct counterpart to TikTok’s Duet function.
As competition in the short-form video space intensifies, Instagram continues to mirror its biggest rival’s innovations in an effort to maintain user engagement.
